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Bleeding 12 years after hysterectomy

What could be the possible reasons for vaginal bleeding when a woman has not had her uterus or cervix for nearly 12 years? In 1994, I had a total hysterectomy (removal of my uterus, cervix, & one ovary). My cervix was removed because of pre-cancerous tissues. I began experiencing a vaginal discharge in Nov. 2005 after recommencing sexual relations after abstaining for six years.  Also in Nov. 2005 I noticed old blood coming from the vaginal area (it was brown) and a slight smell.  I thought maybe the sex was too hard. I was checked in December 2005 by my general practitioner for STDs and HIV.  All the rest results came back normal and/or negative.  The smell and discharge decreased; almost faded totally away.  But now in January 2006, although I have not had intercourse since November 2005, I began smelling the smell again and the discharge has increased.  It has changed in its look and consistency.  It has been white, milky, but lately it has been somewhat watery.  Recently I had a rush discharge where I had to run to the restroom. There was blood on my dress.  The blood is pink.  I went to my primary care physician who said I had a bladder infection because she thought I was bleeding from my urine are and she prescribed an antibiotic.  She did not do a pap smear.  I went to a different doctor later that day and she did a pap smear.  She confirmed that I was actually bleeding from the vaginal area, more specifcally I believe she said from my vaginal cuff.  I am nervously and anxiously awaiting the results.  What are possibilities?
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Avatar universal
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy 1990.  Noticed faint signs of blood on toilet paper.  Also noticed that I had a discharge which was clear in color. Basically the same as the lubrication our bodies generate when preparing for intercourse or we're sexually aroused.  Went on for several weeks and had my yearly check up the week before.  Went back and he did cultures and they all came back negative.

It actually stopped for a month and started up again today when walking and noted 2 fairly large spots in the undies.

A couple of things... I have had blood labs which show minor issues with kidneys/bladder. He gave me a slip to have a clean catch done, which I will do this week.  

I am using troches which are progesterone in nature. I do not take estrogens.

My gyn is one of the top oncology gynecologists in MD. He said not to worry about it. Asked if I was sexually active, which I'm not.... sadly.  

I'll do the urinalysis this week and promise to get back to let you know the results after I get them.
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Avatar universal
I was told by my Dr. that it was vaginal atrophy...a thinning of the wall linings of the vaginal area.  It happens and not to be alarmed.
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Avatar universal
I had a hysterectomy when I was 22. Im now 49. I went 9 years with no sex because of a failing 30 year marriage. I recently got divorced and found the love of my life but I bleed Everytime we have sex. As the others said...This is a old thread and as far as I can see there has not been an answer for anyone. I was raped by my xhusband 2 years ago and him being quite large hurt me but I blocked it out till just recently. The man Im with now is normal size. We fit perfectly. Im scared that the rape tore something where my cervix was. Is this possible? Also my white cell count stays around 20,000. Ive had my blood checked by 2 different oncologists and they say Im fine. Is it possible that if he messed up something inside me that would cause the bleeding and the increased white cell count? I have searched the internet like crazy and can't find nothing about bleeding after the cervix is removed and your sewed up there. Wish someone could shed some light on this.
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Thank you for these comments. I had a partial hysterectomy in 2009, they left my ovaries. But then 1 year later, I had a cyst that was grown on my ovary and they did some blood test which came back at a high level for possible cancer. My pap of course was off as well. I ended up having everything removed, tubes, everything because I had so much endometriosis all tangled inside so we got that taken care of in 2010. Then a few months later I found out that my stomach opening to my small intestines had scar tissued over at first they thought I had cancer again, but 4 surgeries later, because everytime they would create me a new opening in my stomach it would literally scar back over within 6 to 8 months. So all of the above caused me to loose the portion of the small intestine that grabs your nutrients so I do not know how many blood, iron, magnesium, etc., infusions I have had. The last stomach surgery was Dec 2016. Then in March of 2017 I had these red dots basically covering my entire body. Turns out it was basil cells but they were matatisizing so quickly due to my poor immune system they would turn into melanoma. I could not have my whole body radiated nor could I do chemo thru the veins. They put me on this daily chemo pill and I was on it 6 months and OMG it was the worst experience of my life. Ending up having an adverse reaction on me so in June 2018 they took me off chemo to give me a break and focused on doing this new blue light radiation on some of the big ones. NOW TODAY, Jan 19, 2019, I am having signs that my stomach which I barely have any left, when they do the contrast on me, it pours through my stomach in 60 seconds and down to my colon within 1 minute so all 90 pounds of me really is not getting anything from eating. But now I have started the throwing up again, feeling such heartburn, etc. BUT this is not what is scaring me. So I have all these spots all over me again and now I am bleeding from my vagina. Especially when I have a bowel movement because the medicines they have me on make me extremely constipated, but bright red blood mixed with white will trickle out and when I wipe it will be on the toilet paper. Plus it looks like yogurt or something, jelly like and it has a fish smell which I have never experienced.

Shame on me, but with all the other stuff I have had going on I have not had a pap smear since 2011. I am going on Tuesday for pap and an ultrasound, do not really get what the ultrasound is about, but I am scared to death. My small stomach is popped out and hard like I am about 3 months pregnant and it hurts even if you touch it. I  had to go to ER last week and they assumed I had a UTI because I had clumps of white blood cells in my urine???? But when it cultured out, no UTI. So now onto the OB to see what is going on.

Any thoughts or opinions are appreciated. As you can see, I have been thru alot already so I am not scared to prepare for the worst, I just need to see if anyone else has seen anything with what I am living with
Avatar universal
Does anyone have the answer? I had a hysterectomy 12 yrs ago and am experiencing the same thing..am spotting lite pink blood..
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1 Comments
I had a full hysterectomy in 2009 & just today started bleeding with cramps
Avatar universal
Please who is you doctor. My mum is having bloody discharge now. She has had radical hysterectomy like 4 years ago. Followed with episodes of occurrence. She has recently had a colostomy following severe ascites. Now she is having bloody discharge. We don't know what that might mean but perhaps your doctor can help us. Thank you

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Avatar universal
I had a complete hysterectomy April 20015 due to cancer. Uterus, overlies, tubes, and the top of my cervix. Did six rounds on chemo starting in the hospital due to the cancer metastasizing in my belly and lungs, June 2015. I have had regular scans and check-ups since.

Late last month, Feb 2016, I noticed blood when wiping and in the toilet. The next day I called the dr and made an appt. Had a pelvic exam w/ a biopsy. Just got the result yesterday.

The cancer has spread to my vaginal. PET scan next, then the plan is radiation treatments and possibly more chemo.

This is the answers to my bleeding problem. I don't want to scare anyone, but get checked!
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1 Comments
Omg im so scared. Also had cervical and uterine cancer started bleeding yesterday. My hysterectomy was 5 yrs ago. Im so afraid.
Avatar universal
I am 1.5 months post total hysterectomy with one ovary left inside me. I was bleeding recently with old blood discharge and drops of bright red when urinating. I have been cautirized twice now. Bleeding comes and go, but all I can hear from different Gynecologist is just "It's how the body heals". I am never satisfied with their answers. I am planning to see my family docotor this week and see if he can refer me to an internal medicine doctors for a third opinion. I don't want to experience bleeding in my life again. I was bleeding for two years until my Gyne decided to go through total hysterectomy. But now, I'm back to bleeding. I'm 46 years old now and I am experiencing hot flushes and depression. My breast are tender and I don't understand why I'm having light headedness and blackouts from time to time. My bloodworks okey and urinalysis are okey too. Before my total hysterectomy, my biopsy came out negative. My recent pap smear is also good. I just don't know what's happening to me. Did someone here saw an internal medicine doctors?
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2 Comments
Did you find out what was wrong? I have been doing the same thing. I need answers.
I was told l am going this menpose.
Avatar universal
Did you ever get diagnosis?
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Avatar universal
Agree ! We need answers
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Avatar universal
Sorry I know I'm replying to an old post but I to am having the same problem.
An I desperately need some answers.
Please inform me of your moms results.
Please!!!!
I have had a complete hysterectomy in 2006.
Last year I found out I have BRCA1.
So I had a double mastectomy.
I'm 33yrs old with a husband an 3 little kids.

Cancer is really strong in my family
I've lost 34 people in my family in the last 25yrs from cancer.

In 2014 found out my mom an her sister had cancer as well then they got tested for the cancer gene an both came back positive!

So I went an got tested!
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Avatar universal
Sorry I know I'm replying to an old post but I to am having the same problem.
An I desperately need some answers.
Please inform me of your moms results.
Please!!!!
I have had a complete hysterectomy in 2006.
Last year I found out I have BRCA1.
So I had a double mastectomy.
I'm 33yrs old with a husband an 3 little kids.

Cancer is really strong in my family
I've lost 34 people in my family in the last 25yrs from cancer.

In 2014 found out my mom an her sister had cancer as well then they got tested for the cancer gene an both came back positive!

So I went an got tested!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am 76 and 42 yrs ago had a hysterectomy.     My bleeding/Spotting started a year 2014  after I had a Colonoscopy.Been to Gyn & Urologists /All test scans were fine. & PAP       I am wondering how many others had colonoscopys before they started bleeding........  Thought maybe there was a puncture somewhere as the Bowel is so close to the Vaginal area.  I get some brown spotting with pink.Passing gas sometimes feels like it is exiting from my Vaginal area.The doctors are not agreeing on this idea.( Of course I do understand why/ I need answers?    Looking for a connection!!!!
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Avatar universal
I know your question was a long time ago, but I have the same thing. My total hyst was done almost 2 years ago due to uterine cancer. I was moving heavy boxes at work and two days later I had some vaginal bleeding. That was yesterday, it stopped now, but should I call doc? What was your outcome?

thanks.
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Avatar universal
Not sure how to post to this thread so I hope this works.. I am 14 months post total hysterectomy( mine was due to fibroids which ended up being stage 4 appendix cancer). I have had some light blood on toilet paper upon wiping, also some feeling of urination urgency. With my history, I showed up at my doc office unannounced. I am blessed with a fantastic doc. She did urine test and an exam. I was told that since there is no estrogen in my body, my vagina is atrophying..the skin is quite thin and very dry..she compared this to the elderly and how thin the skin can get. It takes very little to cause a scratch or scrape. She recommended that I use a diaper rash ointment to help with dryness. Of course every woman should be proactive when there is any type of vaginal bleeding but the lack of estrogen does cause trouble for us. Estrogen is what keeps our muscles nourished and strong..the vagina is a muscle of sorts and that lack of nourishment makes it less tha perfect..I would never ignore these symptoms of course( I have an oncologist appt on Tuesday and will be bringing this up, even though my tests and scan show no cancer..praise God, just to be safe).. I hope this helps some
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am totally surprised to hear that no Dr. has found out is wrong with these ladies. I have friend who is going thru this same thing. I myself had my hysterectomy at a very young age but I so far have Not had any problems, I'm not 71 y.o. I was a nurse and I will check around to see if someone has an idea of what could be wrong.  Pj



Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My daughter who is 33 had a total hysto at age 25. Before this she had approx. 17 lap surgeries because she suffered from sever endometrios and polycystic ovaries. Her tubes disconnected and had to be removed first. Since the hysterectomy she has suffered from chronic pelvic pain cause unknown. The doctors assume it is coming from the scar tissue and each time you go into remove it then more will come and it is a harder substance. So we have sworn off let another doctor do that. Now this last year about every third month she will experience an increase amount of pain and bleeding vaginally. this first time it happened we went to the ER because she had a sudden onset of head pain and loss consciousness. The findings after the cat scan,ultra sound, pelvic and the the doctor stating well the blood has to be coming from somewhere but I am not sure where. The loss of consciousness sometimes when your pain gets to great your body will shut down. The cat scan show nothing so I am going to go ahead and discharge you follow up with your GYN on Monday. So our next step was a visit to the GYN who's reply was "Well there is nothing left in there that I can help with you need to see maybe a general surgeon. Next trip to general surgeon whose response is No this is pelvic pain and bleeding you need to see a GYN. So we continue on and it still keeps happening no one knows why and no one seemd to think it urgent enough to do anything about. We just came home from the er yet again a couple hours ago with the same results. My daughter explains the pain like something inside is ripping. Each time the is more pain and more bleeding. Thank you all for listening and letting me know that there are more woman out there with the same issues so that at least I know we are not alone!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, I think you are right. The Brownish discharge can be dryness. And especially after sex, the minimal blood mixed with body fluid will come down eventually. Ovestin cream can do wonders, ask your doc about it. It will keep you internally healthy. Regards proper bleeding (red blood). This shouldnt happen after many years,  following a hysterectomy, and therefore should be investigated asap. Dont allow yourselves to be fobbed off. Especially if anyone still has their ovaries.  Ovarian cancer kills, its very hard to detect, therefore not a high survival rate. Ask for an emergancy appointnent with the doctor, and all tests be made priority, regards results.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi nikkiGDM - thank you for your recent post -  your answer gave me information that i couldn't find for my bleeding 12 weeks post hysterectomy. itis mostly years post hysterectomy, and although yours has been serveral years, your bleeding due to low estrogen, and a bacterial infection has calmed me - that perhaps that's what i am experiencing now.  thanks for writing about your experience.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am searching for answers for my questions, and I stumbled upon this site. I try not to google too much because the internet can either fear you or calm you, however I am glad I found this site. I had extreme bleeding for about 1.5 yrs before i had my first ablation. For the women who have gone through this, you'll understand how the bleeding takes over your life! Then the bleeding stops, and you think you can cope until the next time you bleed again. I had my first ablation March 2012 with the balloon thermal procedure. Since I had the Essure procedure done in 2009, nova sure ablation was not approved for use with the Essure procedure. In March 2014, I was heavily bleeding again. To rule out endometrial cancer,  I had uterine and cervical biopsies, which by the way, hurt like #*^$&. The tests results were benign and i was calmed. To help reduce/stop the abnormal bleeding and because my doctor is very progressive, he gave me three options to help with the bleeding: do nothing and wait for menopause ( i was about to be 50 in 2014), have a hysterectomy or a second ablation: a novasure procedure. Usually doctors only perform one uterine ablation, however, my doctor knows my medical history, and believed a second one would be safe. I chose a nova sure ablation. Before he performed the procedure, while i was knocked out with versed, he did a D&C on my uterus. Those results came back positive.  Less than 1% of women have a false negative with uterine and cervical biopsies. I was diagnosed with complex hyperplasia without atypia. This time my choices were a hysterectomy or Provera -the med that stops cell growth. If i chose Provera though, the doctor warned me that if it didn't work, I would be in a life-threatening situation within a  year. That decision was a no-brainer -  chose the hysterectomy however I was also prescribed Provera. On Feb 18, 2015, I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy - removing my uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes. My recovery has been great, and I feel wonderful. It's amazing how we women get used to all the bleeding, and when it stops, the anxiety stops, the bleeding stops... you just begin to feel 'normal' again. you feel in control of your body and more important your life again. This past week, though i've notice after urination, that i think there's a slight pink tint. but then again, after so many years, you get used to seeing pink/red/brown all the time, so i thought it was in my head. this morning, i realized it was not in my head; I am bleeding again, red fresh blood. I called my doctor, and i have an appt Tuesday, May 26, which happens to be my 51st birthday. how ironic is that ~groan~  I am calmed only by the fact that my bleeding wasn't urgent enough to warrant an immediate examination.  I have no symptoms of infection, i haven't had sex since my surgery, and i am not in any pain. after reading some of y'all  posts, i feel better thinking that my post-hysterectomy bleeding may be a kidney infection, bladder infection - perhaps something that isn't serious. I just want my bleeding to stop! i am back to wearing a panty liner. there isn't much information on 12 weeks post hysterectomy bleeding, and I don't want to do much researching because as I stated earlier - the internet can calm you or fear you. I have been on an emotional roller coaster, and I just want some emotional peace and relaxation. i am trying not to think too much,and  wait until Tuesday for my exam. it's going to be a long memorial weekend though. thank you to the women who post their experiences - it helps.  
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Avatar universal
I found this blog helpful but agree with comments no one came back to share this experience post testing. So I hope this comments helps readers.

I had a partial hysterectomy 15 years ago, due to severe endometriosis, and I am now 52. After surgery I retained my left ovary and cervix. A few weeks ago I experienced a bloody discharge. As many state here, it was quite scary when you no longer have a uterus. A few days later another discharge but this time yellowy and tinged brown. Then after urinating the tissue was tinged with brighter blood - barely noticeable but frightening because it was brighter; thus another change. unlike the other posts,  I did not have any unpleasant odors. Throughout this process I was in touch with my Drs office awaiting the weekend for my appointment. It is true, if you have any blood post your uterus being removed it MUST be investigated but there are many causes.

I have a bacterial infection called vaginosis which is being treated with an antibiotic gel. During this process bloodwork was drawn to elevate my stage of menopause. I learned that I am post menopausal which means I am no longer producing estrogen. The dr explained the vagina needs estrogen to clean out the typical bad bacterial and vaginosis can be common for women who no longer produce estrogen. As stated, the gel was prescribed to rid the infection but my question was, " how can I prevent this going forward?"  The dr prescribed a low dose estrogen pill that you insert into the vagina twice a week. since the hormone is inserted directly into the vagina it is not absorbed into the blood system like other hormone replacements.

I sincerely hope this post helps as I too was frustrated there were no results posted. However at the same time comforted by how many women were going through the same situation.  

Good luck
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9532190 tn?1436465074
I know this is an old post but as I had a concern myself and didn't see any answers but just concerned women I wanted to say to those who are searching for comfort go to google search type in Brown discharge NO pain -8 years post op | Hysterectomy hystersisters .I hope someone will be helped even if just a little by this.(Revelation 21:3,4)
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Avatar universal
Thank u so much for the reply I think it will be helpfull to alot of us
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Avatar universal
My aunt has suffered bleeding like many of you women she is very scared. I stumbled upon this site on accident and it has really helped my aunt, she is not as scared as she was but she is going to contact her G.P to find out the source. Thanks to all the women who have posted their results on here because it has really helped.
lea
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12806468 tn?1427323904
Hello Everyone,
               I am 42 yrs old and in 2009 I had a hysterectomy w/the removal of my cervix and my left ovary. As recently as last week I experienced for the first time some vaginal bleeding. Of course it was the weeked, so I called my gyn and he told me to go to the ER and upon examination the ER physician who was moonlighting meaning just there to stabalize a pt so they won't die told me that he saw scaring on my cervix and I should get checked for an std. This was after I told him about my hysterectomy, my mesh and other surgeries and that I had been married for over 15 yrs. I was appalled to say the least. To make a long story short I came home and this was the first sight I found to help me understand what could possible be wrong. I did follow up my gyn and everything is A ok. All test came back negative. He told me that is was normal for me to experience some bleeding and discharge at certain times and that I may need to monitor my stress levels and my diet. Also think about looking into using vaginal creams.  I just wanted you all to know how informative and helpful these comments and posts have been. There are physicians that look at you as just an insured patient and nothing more. We have to help each other and I want to just say Thank you!      
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